Is MSD Install worth it?

[7Dcuda]

Im considering installing an MSD 6AL ignition box and was wondering if I'll notice a difference over what I have now which is the Chrome MOPAR Ignition box with the Summit Racing electronic/magnetic pick up distributor and the MSD Blaster 2 Coil.   Will there be a noticeable horsepower gain with the MSD 6AL box install?  I've never used one so dont know but dont want to waste the money if theres not a noticeable gain in using it.  I have a 70 Cuda with a mild build 440
(4 speed, dual quad edelbrock intake, 2 edelbrock 500cfm carbs, MOPAR Purple Shaft cam, and headers)
Any info. from those that know the differences after an MSD install would be appreciated.   

[Chryco Psycho]

IMO no gain , if the ign componenets are in good condition now , good wires plugs , coil etc you will gain nothing , most people upgrade when the ign is not working well already & do feel a gain with new plugs & wires etc .
 the Multi spark feature of the MSD is lost at 3000 rpm , about the time you hit the powerband, the only reason to do it is the rev limiter & there is a Mopar style box available now with that feature as well 

[HP2]

Agreed. I ran an MSD, Crane, Jacobs, and stock set ups in my drag car and never noticed any appreciable change in e.t. or trap speed between them.

[GoodysGotaCuda]

I noticed a little cleaner idle when I went from an Orange box to a 6A. If I did it again, I'd go with a digital box over an analog.



..but this is interesting..

http://board.moparts.org/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=0&Number=6927491&page=0&fpart=1&vc=1

http://www.thertgarage.com/products.html

[73Chally]

I noticed a little cleaner idle when I went from an Orange box to a 6A. If I did it again, I'd go with a digital box over an analog.



..but this is interesting..

http://board.moparts.org/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=0&Number=6927491&page=0&fpart=1&vc=1

http://www.thertgarage.com/products.html

I'll put myself on the sceptic side.  You can't just plug and play 3 different ignition systems and think you're comparing apples to apples.  Just changing the jets or timing with the same ignition box can change your numbers at least that much.  What they should be doing is perform an optimal tune for each ignition box, then see what the numbers are.  They could be getting the same number as the Rev-n-Ator with the other boxes if they took an hour to tune the other setups.

As for an MSD vs. Mopar, I agree with the others that you will not see an appreciable gain to justify the money.

[Gumby]

Remember back in the day when everyone was putting Accel Super coils on their cars? Well, the dirty little secret that no one told anyone - was that your factory stock electronic ignition is just fine. You only need to upgrade if you are flat out drag racing. The electrical system is only going to use what it does. IE, the system is only going to use what volts it needs to jump the spark plug gap and travel through the wires. If you gap your plugs at 1/4 inch", then the coil will have to build much more voltage to overcome that gap. If you gap your plugs at 1/8", less voltage will be needed to overcome that gap. People that say that they can feel a difference are usually just saying that to cover up the fact that they spent hundreds of dollars on a part that will NEVER ever see race conditions, and NEVER out perform the factory ignition- but they have to justify the hundreds of dollars spent by saying "oh - it feels better, or oh it idles better, or oh it starts better" BULL HOCKEY! Electricity takes the path of least resistanse. If you gap your plugs way out their to get a hotter spark, the electricity may just find another path to ground through your wires or boots. THIS IS BASIC ELECTRICITY! NO MSD or accel super coil or any of that, Jacobs, it's all BS to get your money, show me a true dyno test where any of these systems have ever made a difference. PROVE ME WRONG! The factory stock set up is more than you will ever need. Any one else that says different is a liar or doesn't understand basic laws of electricity. ANYONE. Unless you are racing in a very high rpm enviroment all the time, the aftermarket systems are not worth the money as far as you can spit. GM HEI is far superior to Mopar, But, Mopar electronic is just fine. Just because a coil says it can produce 50,000 volts, doesn't mean that it does that! The volts only are used as your engine needs them, and I bet you never even see over 10,000 volts at Wide OPEN Throttle! SAVE YOUR MONEY! Research this if you don't believe me. And for all you people that say you can see/feel a difference.... PROVE IT! There is NO difference! except a lighter wallet and bragging rights. People that brag different are dumba$$$es and want to cover their butts by saying they can feel a difference. They are merely saving face. Factory is fine. Unless you are spinning 7500 rpm and higher.

[Gumby]

As much as I would like to believe in the Rev-N-Ator or what ever it is called, I would think no. I have been following the threads on Moparts. What was he claiming? 20 hp increase? was that with two plug wires unhooked?, I mean REALLY. Mopar spent millions of dollars on research and were the first ones to come out with a factory electronic ignition. Wow, were those Mopar engineers dummies or did they miss something? Yeah, I didn't think so. 

[72cudamaan]

So you're saying that the electronic circuitry in a newer ecu is no better than what any of the Big 3
designed 40 years ago. Basic electricity doesn't cut it when a newer system has the ability to send
 multiple discharge signals per plug firing. They didn't have that technology back then. Yes, most cars
won't ever gain from the benefits of modern technology, but don't say never. Multiple spark discharge
systems definitely are an improvement over stock.

[brads70]

As to whether there is a HP difference ...I can't say, never had my car on a dyno to see? I had a MSD6AL on a 383 Chevy I had in an 81 Malibu daily driver back in the early 90's. The Holley carb's needle and seat stuck open and fuel was pouring out the vent tube. The only way I found it was when I noticed the fuel economy got really horrible and I started looking? Without the MSD I'll bet it wouldn't have even ran. I think the multi spark deal makes things burn more efficiently, and that's gotta help with fuel economy too I would think. I've never even fouled a plug with one either. If it drops off after 3000 thats ok as lets face it most likely 80% of our driving in town is at 3000 or under. In a Mopar it gets rid of the retarded ballast resistor. Everyone carries one around in their glovebox for a reason. That alone is reason to get one IMO? I've heard complaints of people having them fail. I'm sure some of them do as with everything mass produced.  I've had one on every performance car( and a couple daily/year round cars too) I've owned in the last 35 years( including the Challenger) and never had one fail.  They are used every week at the stock car track I work at and have never seen one fail there either. I've been working there 22 years now!
Just my   

[LAA66]

 The multi spark on the FBO setup (which includes a programed ECM) messed up my tach at idle.  It also cause premature wear on the rear tires due to excessive spinage. 

[1970 RT Challenger 1970]

 Is MSD Install worth it?

Absolutely. It's worth it just to see the jaws drop at a car show when the Ladies ask "What's that red thing do". I tell them it's like a big vibrator for electricity. 

[dodj]

I noticed abetter idle and bottom end. I think they are worth the $.
  with Goody. Go digital.

[Talkwrench]

I'm with CP. too many bright coloured boxes, coils with decals on that really dont do much  . For me I'll stand behind my HEI with a plain old HEC bosch coil ..full 12 volts and if you have see the spark they put out  Best bang for buck.

[footin70rt]

  In my 440 with the solid flat tappet cam with a lot of overlap it made a noticeable difference at idle and in the lower rpm's.
Now my Suburban is a different story, got a smokin deal on a 6A box so I put it on..... other than a pretty red box under the hood it seems about the same as the ignition.

[Cooter]

People that say that they can feel a difference are usually just saying that to cover up the fact that they spent hundreds of dollars on a part that will NEVER ever see race conditions, and NEVER out perform the factory ignition- but they have to justify the hundreds of dollars spent by saying "oh - it feels better, or oh it idles better, or oh it starts better" BULL HOCKEY! Electricity takes the path of least resistanse. If you gap your plugs way out their to get a hotter spark, the electricity may just find another path to ground through your wires or boots. THIS IS BASIC ELECTRICITY! NO MSD or accel super coil or any of that, Jacobs, it's all BS to get your money, show me a true dyno test where any of these systems have ever made a difference. PROVE ME WRONG! The factory stock set up is more than you will ever need. Any one else that says different is a liar or doesn't understand basic laws of electricity. ANYONE. Unless you are racing in a very high rpm enviroment all the time, the aftermarket systems are not worth the money as far as you can spit. GM HEI is far superior to Mopar, But, Mopar electronic is just fine. Just because a coil says it can produce 50,000 volts, doesn't mean that it does that! The volts only are used as your engine needs them, and I bet you never even see over 10,000 volts at Wide OPEN Throttle! SAVE YOUR MONEY! Research this if you don't believe me. And for all you people that say you can see/feel a difference.... PROVE IT! There is NO difference! except a lighter wallet and bragging rights. People that brag different are dumba$$$es and want to cover their butts by saying they can feel a difference. They are merely saving face. Factory is fine. Unless you are spinning 7500 rpm and higher.

Well, Don't know bout all this, but I ran 7 Mopar orange boxes out the box brand new, and every 3rd week, they'd backfire out the exhaust and shut down. Checked and triple checked my wiring to the box and components, wired properly. Couldn't be a bad ignition set up right? So, tried yet another under warranty, Same thing. Even tried running an aux. ground. No help.. Switched to MSD, wired, been on the same car now for over 15 years. Hmmmm, Dumbass it is...